Mark Wolinsky, land manager (property, government and community affairs) and Kevin Maynard, plant manager of the Newton County Quarry, presented a check for $2,500 Sept. 6 to the Covington Lions Club in support of the clubhouse renovation project and sponsorship of the Oct. 12 and 13 Sherman's Last Burning Barbecue Cook-Off and Festival at the Covington Legion Fairgrounds.

Wolinsky and Maynard were given a tour of the renovated clubhouse. The clubhouse needed to be treated for termite infestation and insulated for hair conditioning and heating loss. The old cement floors were tiled, the roof repaired, picnic tables replaced with folding tables and chairs, exterior lighting installed, interior and exterior painting completed and minimal landscaping completed.

Much of the work was completed by member volunteers. The building is used by members for meetings and by the citizens of Newton County for bridal and baby showers, birthday celebrations, weddings, family reunions and business meetings.

Lafarge is a worldwide company founded in 1933. Lafarge is the largest diversified supplier of construction materials in the United States and Canada. Its materials are used for residential, commercial, institutional and public works construction. Lafarge in North America is wholly-owned by Lafarge S.A., the world's leader in building materials, with top ranking positions in all of its businesses: cement, aggragates and concrete and gypsum. With 71,000 employees in 70 countries, Lafarge posted worldwide sales of 17 billion euros in 2006.

" The Lions send a big thank you to Lafarge and the Newton County Quarry for their civic and environmental concerns in the Newton County area and around the world," said Ed Minge, 2nd vice president of the Lions. "We appreciate their donation as those from Social Circle and Mayfield ACE hardwares, Wal-Mart Supercenter, Buzzy Bee, Sears, Affordable Insulation of Social Circle and others that made this possible. The Covington Lions look forward to being a part of the community for many years to come."

Maynard and Wolinsky expressed Lafarge's corporate philosophy of supporting community service programs and the Covington Lions' effort to renovate the clubhouse at Academy Springs Park. They expect to put together a barbecue team for participation in the barbecue cook-off.